Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55099 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
The dreaded time came, when Shay was yawning and Reese wanted to take their boy to bed. River had been drifting between half sleeping and smirking lazily at the conversation flowing; he was definitely the type of man who liked to listen to what was going on around him.
I was tired too, but I’d ended up having so much fun tonight that I didn’t want the evening to be over.
“Yeah, I better get some sleep if I’m gonna be sharp at ten,” Penelope said. “I can return the drink cart if you just lift the thing up on the deck, Reese. Since you’re a big, strong man who knows better than me.”
I snickered and rose to my feet, and I folded the blankets Ash had provided for us.
Reese furrowed his brow. “I feel like I’m gettin’ punished for somethin’ Greer said.”
“I’m fine with that,” Penelope replied.
Shay and I chuckled at the toppy Tops’ staredown, which ended with Reese going, “If I throw you in the pool at some point, don’t ask why.”
River yawned and absently cracked his knuckles. “Y’all have two primal brats watchin’. Last thing we need is them throwin’ a divide-and-conquer op on our asses.”
I exchanged a quick, subtle glance with Shay. We were going to file this away, for sure. Causing playful rifts between Tops could be hysterical.
“If they end up doin’ that, it’s because you just gave them the idea,” Reese shot back. “They wouldn’t have come up with it on their own. Brats aren’t bright.”
Hey!
I wasn’t gonna take that bait, but hey!
“Good one, Daddy,” Shay drawled. “Let’s hit the sack.”
Yeah, I supposed it was time.
I kept the blankets, not sure where they belonged, but they shouldn’t be outside overnight. I could place them on the bar or ask Penelope.
Reese helped her with the drink cart, up on the deck, till she could wheel it indoors, and I followed once we’d exchanged goodnights with the guys.
The club area was pretty dark, only illuminated by the spotlights along the underside of the bartop. To be honest, the silence and the emptiness of such a large place left me with an eerie feeling. The club was supposed to be packed with kinksters and flashing with purple lights, music pumping, kink furniture occupied… I’d overheard Reese earlier saying only three people were spending the night in the main house, which was uncommon for a Friday.
Tomorrow would be different. They’d host an event, and those attracted a larger crowd.
I hadn’t decided yet if I was staying the night tomorrow as well. The play party wrapped up at six, at which point I could probably catch a ride with Ty and Lane. I knew they were heading home after the event.
“Do you have everything you need up in your room, Nora? I don’t know about you, but when I’ve had more drinks than I can count on one hand, I need painkillers and water on my nightstand.”
I smiled and left the blankets on the bartop. “I’m okay. Four ciders aren’t enough to make me hungover.”
She sighed and opened the fridge. “Ah, to be young…”
Like she was old? Pffft. She hadn’t even turned forty yet.
“Humor me, please.” She extended a bottle of water across the bartop. “You didn’t eat much for dinner either.”
My subbie senses tingled and fired off multicolored flares, and the girl with a massive crush—AKA, me—wondered if Penelope was like this with all the subs around here. She probably was, right? I mean, she was a Founder, and I’d heard so many things about how protective and caregiving they were out here.
I accepted the bottle and unscrewed the cap, and…I cursed myself because I was going to be too honest. I felt the urge to be blatant bubble up within me, and I could stop myself, at the same time as I couldn’t. Don’t say it, don’t say it. I’m gonna say it. Fuck my life.
“Thank you. I’m gonna pretend you only do this with special subs.”
She laughed softly and rested her arms on the counter. “That’s cute. I guess my warning earlier hasn’t deterred you from flirting.”
What warning? That she only wanted casual arrangements?
Um, no.
“A girl can dream.” I took a swig of the water before mirroring her move on my side of the bar, resting my arms on the counter. “But if it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll stop. I’m just…” I raked my teeth over my bottom lip, trying to come up with the best way to say this. “I know you’ve been through a lot, so if my flirting just makes you smile or improves your day, then it’s not for nothing.”
She smiled slightly, and her hazel gaze felt a few degrees warmer. “That’s very honest.”
“Not to mention straightforward, another reason I had to get out of Sweden,” I joked.
She grinned and rested her chin in her hand. “Are you saying Swedes aren’t honest?”